Tamil Tigers kill Hindu priest for garlanding President Rajapakse

Colombo, 08 February, (Asiantribune.com): The Tamil Hindu priest who garlanded President Mahinda Rajapakse during his recent visit to Vakarai ,was shot dead by the Tamil Tigers, said the Daily News this morning. A Hindu priest, Selliah Kurukkal Parameshwaran, the Chief Poosari of the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil, Batticaloa is seen putting holy ash on the forehead of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse during his visit to Vakarai, around 225 km (140 miles) northeast of Colombo, February 3, 2007. He was now shot and killed by the LTTE gunmen.

According to the Defence Ministry report: Selliah Kurukkal Parameshwaran, the Chief Poosari of the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil, Batticaloa who garlanded President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recent visit to Vakarai was shot dead by three LTTE gunmen just outside his residence on Wednesday night.

According to sources, three LTTE gunmen entered the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil and had taken him to the backyard of his residence saying that they need to question him and shot him using a T 56 weapon. He was 63 years old and was a father of three.

According to initial reports the LTTE gunmen had taken him out of his residence at 8.45 pm while he was having his dinner.

"According to family members the gunmen had mentioned that they were from the LTTE and they needed to question the Poosari in connection with the garlanding of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his arrival at Vakarai on February 3.